Thomas Lake Dam #1 dam
Thomas Lake Dam #1
Thomas Lake Dam #1, located in Raeford, North Carolina, is a privately owned Earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 14.7 feet, this dam on Toney Creek has a normal storage capacity of 34 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 41 acre-feet. With a hazard potential rated as high, the dam's condition was assessed as satisfactory during its last inspection in January 2021.
Despite not being state regulated or permitted, Thomas Lake Dam #1 is still subject to regular state inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam, which has not undergone any modifications in recent years, is equipped with outlet gates for water control. Although there are no associated structures with the dam, its location in Hoke County poses potential risks that require proper emergency management and preparedness measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Thomas Lake Dam #1 serves as a valuable recreational asset in North Carolina, showcasing the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for both safety and environmental conservation. As one of the many dams contributing to water management in the area, the dam's role in providing recreational opportunities while mitigating potential hazards underscores the need for ongoing assessment and risk management to ensure the sustainability of water resources in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Thomas Lake Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 30 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 14 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 91 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 15 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thomas Lake Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
Campgrounds
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
- John Culberth Campsite
- Hickory Campsite
- Loblolly Campsite
- Sweetgum Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Thomas Lake Dam #1 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Thomas Lake Dam #1
Where does the data for Thomas Lake Dam #1 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Thomas Lake Dam #1.